Gwyneth Paltrow's Goop Guide to Anal Sex Wipes Up Messy Myths

Paltrow and company published its second annual Sex Issue on Thursday, featuring a very deep Q&A with author and psychoanal-yst Paul Joannides about the ins and outs of anal sex.

"If anal turns you on, you are definitely not alone," the article states. "First it was shocking, then it was having a cultural moment, now it's practically standard in the modern bedroom repertoire -- or so a quick scan of any media, from porn to HBO, will tell you."

As for how it relates to pornography and its portrayal in adult films, Joannides said: "Understand that the way you see anal sex portrayed in porn is about as real as how they drive cars in the 'The Fast and the Furious.' They don't show communication, feedback or trust. Couples who do not have excellent sexual communication, who don't freely give and receive feedback about what feels good and what doesn't, and who don't have a high level of trust should not be having anal sex."

Joannides also said that fewer people admit to engaging in anal sex than you might think.

"Another myth is that everyone is doing it. In fact, only about 10 to 15 percent of straight couples regularly partake," Joannides said.

Joannides said that for couples to engage in a successful anal tryst, much research and reading should be done before partaking, and to absolutely avoid doing it under the influence of mind-altering substances.

"Spend a few weeks helping the receiving partner relax," he said. "Make sure you and your partner have great sexual communication, trust, and that you both want to do it, as opposed to one trying to pressure the other, or not wanting to do it but doing it because you are afraid your partner will find someone else who will. Do not do it drunk or stoned. If it doesn't feel good when it's happening, stop."

Before he got too deep in the woods, however, Joannides drew a line at talking to their children about anal sex.